Proximal-end securement of a minimally invasive working channel

Abstract

The present invention is directed at minimally invasive systems in which the proximal end portion of the working channel has either zero or a limited range of movement in the lateral direction. A first embodiment has a slidable collar attached to a pair of flanges, wherein movement of the collar is bounded by an annular frame. A second embodiment has a substantially spherical element attached to the tube. A third embodiment has a plurality of caps. A fourth embodiment is adapted for a larger working channel.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus comprising:
 a working channel tube having a proximal end and a distal end; 
 a generally rectangular first bar configured to form a window and defining a first arcuate path, wherein the window is bounded on one side by one end of the generally rectangular first bar; 
 a slider configured to attach to the working channel tube and slidably engaged within the window to the first bar such that the working channel tube is disposed through the window; and 
 a second bar configured to be stationary and defining a second arcuate path, 
 wherein the one end of the first bar slidably engages the second bar, 
 wherein the first bar is cantilevered from the second bar with a length of the first bar extending away from the one end and from the second bar such that the window and the working channel tube are disposed outside of the second bar, 
 wherein the slider is configured to control a tilt angle of the proximal end of the working channel tube in a first plane while maintaining a location of the distal end of the working channel tube by moving the slider within the window to a position along the first arcuate path defined by the first bar without moving or engaging the second bar, and 
 wherein the first bar is configured to control a tilt angle of the proximal end of the working channel tube in a second plane while maintaining the location of the distal end of the working channel tube by moving the first bar to a position along the second arcuate path defined by the second bar. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tilt angle in the first plane is a cranial-caudal tilt angle. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tilt angle in the second plane is a medial-lateral tilt angle. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an arm having a proximal end portion connected to a stationary object and a distal end portion connected to the second bar. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first bar includes at least one arcuate rail configured to define the first arcuate path. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the slider includes at least one arcuate rail configured to slidably engage the at least one arcuate rail of the first bar that defines the first arcuate path. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one arcuate rail of the slider and the at least one arcuate rail of the first bar have a common radius of curvature. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one arcuate rail of the slider and the at least one arcuate rail of the first bar have mating teeth thereon. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second bar includes at least one arcuate rail configured to define the second arcuate path. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first bar includes at least one arcuate rail configured to slidably engage the at least one arcuate rail of the second bar that defines the second arcuate path. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one arcuate rail of the first bar and the at least one arcuate rail of the second bar have mating teeth thereon. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the slider has a release mechanism for releasable attachment to the first bar. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first bar has a release button for releasable attachment to the second bar. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second bar defines a window therein for slidable reception of the first bar. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the working channel tube has a diameter in the range of about 10 millimeters to about 30 millimeters.